Gaza City: after a night of bombing, Israel launches ground offensive
Today's headlines: Fresh round of trade talks between the US and India; China fires water cannons at Philippine ships in the South China Sea; In Indonesia, motorbike taxi drivers promise more demonstrations against the government; Japan's toy market is growing despite low birth rates.
GAZA – ISRAEL
During the night, Israel bombed the city of Gaza and then launched a ground offensive, according to Axios and the Jerusalem Post. The attack began after a visit by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who assured Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the United States' unwavering support. Meanwhile, Rubio headed to Doha, Qatar, asking the country to continue to play its role as mediator despite recent Israeli attacks targeting Hamas leadership.
INDIA – USA
Indian and US officials will hold trade talks in New Delhi today after Washington imposed a 50% tariff on Indian exports last month, citing oil purchases from Russia as the main reason. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the two nations are “close friends and natural partners” and that their respective teams are working to conclude the negotiations “as soon as possible”.
CHINA – PHILIPPINES
This morning, the Chinese coastguard fired water cannons at several Philippine vessels near the disputed Scarborough Shoal atoll in the South China Sea. Beijing accused Manila of “illegally” entering the area from multiple directions and ramming one of its vessels. Last week, China announced its intention to turn the islet into a nature reserve.
JAPAN
The toy market in Japan is growing despite the country's declining birth rate: in 2024, it grew by 7.9% to a record .4 million. Demand is mainly driven by childless adult couples who consider toys an affordable hobby in terms of figurine and action figure collections, or Tamagotchi, which also allow them to connect with others through social media.
INDONESIA
The president of one of Indonesia's largest motorcycle taxi associations has promised “ever greater escalation” against the government. “We are ready to start another revolution, because millions of our peers are no longer able to live a dignified life,” said Raden Igun Wicaksono. Being a motorcycle taxi driver has become a symbol of Indonesia's employment crisis: 59% of workers are stuck in the informal sector, and studies estimate that drivers earn only £120 per month in Jakarta, half the city's minimum wage.
VIETNAM
According to International Monetary Fund forecasts, Vietnam's economic growth is expected to slow to 6.5%, compared to 7.09% last year. This is one of the reasons why Hanoi has asked Washington to reconsider a decision limiting the export of fish products to the American market. From January to August this year, exports increased by 6.9% compared to the previous year, reaching £1.24 billion, or 17.3% of Vietnam's total fish product shipments.
RUSSIA
Local elections were held in 81 regions of Russia, including those annexed from Ukraine, directly electing 20 governors and deputies to 11 regional assemblies, as well as 46,000 municipal deputies. According to provisional results, no second-round run-offs will be necessary, with most incumbent administrators being re-elected with around 70% of the vote, with the United Russia party prevailing with 50-60%.
ARMENIA
From 1 November, Armenia will remove the symbol of Mount Ararat, the subject of centuries-old disputes with Turkey, from all signs at border posts, airports and road signs, leaving only the word “Armenia” in Armenian and English and other necessary information, applying symbols specific to the regions, in response to requests from Ankara, with which diplomatic relations remain rather complex.
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